Page 43 of Generation Omega: Claimed
While keeping a weather eye on the beast version of Gideon, I expand my focus to include Ethan. “Ethan, no.” To both of them, I say, in the most genuine tone of truth I can locate in my corrupted soul, “The omega legacy is clear about this. I must go after our fugitive packmate.”
“But you need to bond her!” roars the first alpha.
“Gideon, listen to me right now. The legacy is apparently attempting to reach you, but you’re a bit crazed, so here it is. This isn’t just about bonds and bondmarks. Youcan’tleave her. Think it through, your role with her. If you leave, it’s not going to tear her physically apart, but what about emotionally? We’re meant to be pouring her foundation and making it solid.Youare meant to be her fortress, however that fucking works. I certainly can’t do that.” I snort, not my most attractive moment, but it’s authentic. “We all know that’s not my role here. But going after Thatcher and dealing with what needs to be done—I was built for this.”
Gideon grits his teeth as the professional playboy bites Tillie and gets his very own ride on the feral omega. With Tillie nolonger present or in pain, Gideon’s shoulders slump and his fury dissipates slightly. “How could Thatcher do this? We’ve come so far, and he’s dedicated his life to serving this exact mission.”
He stares at the sky, but I doubt he even sees the wispy clouds playing in amongst the sea of perfect blue that is our ceiling. When he looks at me, his openly worn defeat shocks me. “I would understand ifyoudid this or even Jameson. I’d still hunt you down and kill you for injuring her, but I would get it. For Thatcher to do this… I just can’t. This is a betrayal that won’t go unanswered.”
The omega legacy launches another round of detailed orders regarding how Thatcher’s disloyalty will be addressed. I wave my hand like that will make it go away—as if I’m open to pointers on how to murder people. Never tell an artist how toart, sheer audacity.
“The omegaverse agrees completely, which is whyImust go after him…” I turn to Ethan, dreading the end of this sentence more than he will. “… alone.”
Ethan’s expression locks down as he attempts to conceal his thoughts. But, in this case, I don’t need to reach inside to know how he feels about being left behind, especially after what just occurred between us.
It’s Gideon who disrupts our heavy silence. “Can Ethan be left behind?”
The pull to leave—more specifically, to catch and kill Thatcher—is fierce. But that’s not the only compulsion attacking me. I need to get gone and soon, because my urges relating to Tillie are escalating, and the sound effects from the explosive sexual romp aren’t helping at all. At least, I can do something about that.
I leap up the steps and gawk, my intended bark stolen by the impressive scene. The omega’s chest is flat on the table, her ponytail wrapped around Jameson’s left hand, while hisright grips her ankles that are entwined behind his back. He’s ramming into her with a honed devotion to raw carnality that has her maniacally biting at the air, as though Jameson’s an alchemist turning oxygen into an addictive edible.
That fucking deviant is going to force all of us to raise our games in the sack—that’s undeniable—because his grin at being observed by me is proof that his alpha isn’t in control. Jameson Farraway is throwing down the gauntlet, claiming dominance in theferal fuckcategory, and I can’t even argue.
Ory looks to me, his eyes seeking an explanation for my presence.
“Take them to Jameson’s room or the nest. The grown-ups need to talk.”
Ory nods his understanding with a hint of amusement, and I return to the deck where all grows quiet, other than the lapping of the water.
While Ethan’s thoughts become a pinball machine of agitation, I address Gideon. “I don’t have time to explain my theories about Thatcher, but just know, I have plenty, as does the omegaverse. If the omega legacy gets its way, Thatcher will no longer be in our pack, so you need to be prepared to take care of Tillie. Between Ory, theKing of Fuckingup there, Ethan, and you, she’ll have the support she needs.”
I scrub my hand over my face as I struggle to imagine speaking the words that need to be said, while knowing I’m the last person who should be saying them. “I need you both to trust that I’m doing what’s in this pack’s best interests. As to whether Ethan can handle my departure, I’m not sure how this will go for either of us. But I know, for more reasons than just our current disaster, it’s necessary. If the pain is unbearable for him, then as first alpha, you should be able to do something for him.”
Gideon’s studying me like I’m a viper that might strike any second but could also be a new and loyal ally. Then he mustreceive a message from our omegaverse overlords, because he calms and nods. “Okay, Kazimir. Hurry back, and stay in touch. I’ve got this.”
Bythis, he means Ethan, Tillie, the pack—everything I’m abandoning to serve a role I don’t want. It’s a sucker punch straight to my gut when I’m confronted by just how badly I want to stay. Gideon’s capable of dealing with Thatcher, making the hard choices, holding one asshat’s head under the water long enough for all those adorable bubbles to fade away forever. I could even send him with some of my favorite bricks—who says I can’t share?
It must be you.
It must be you—I parrot the stupid legacy like a sassy brat, but I’m not going to argue. Thatcher can’t be allowed to reach shore, and I need to go already.
Gideon directs his first alpha focus onto Ethan. “After Kazimir is gone, come up top. I want to talk to you, because I plan to be your overbearing nanny until your alpha returns.”
I didn’t know that was exactly what I needed to hear until the damn perceptive man spoke, but now, I owe himagain.
There was enough of a bark in Gideon’s words that Ethan responds, “Yes, alpha.”
Gideon only meets my grateful gaze for a moment, before he turns and moves toward the stairs.
As soon as he’s gone, Ethan grabs my arm. “Kaz, please…”
I grasp Ethan’s neck in the possessive way that makes my beta feel claimed. “I want you to hear me, Ethan. I love you.” I shake my head. “Or I think this singeing pain in my heart and my absolute desire to do right by you are the closest approximation to love that a monster like me can manage.” God, I suck at this.
I really am caught in a damn bear trap called love. Why don’t they write songs about that? People should be warned. But here I go… failing harder, while Ethan stares at me,desperate for something he can believe. “I want you to know that I have no second thoughts about you or us. I have no unanswered questions about what might have been if not for the omegaverse’s intrusion into my affairs.” I scoff. “I talk a good game, but I hated my old life, though I did love its clarity. I really like simple things, which is ironic because nothing about our future is going to be simple, at least for the foreseeable future.”
“Kaz, I’m so…”
I don’t allow him to finish that sentence, with just a smidgeon of alpha force required. “No, you don’t get to apologize for anything. I know I can be a dick, and that’s what I was being when you were having your reckoning.” My thumb moves along his jaw as his heartbeat pulses through me. “I don’t have the first clue how to be a nurturing alpha, and I can’t promise I’ll ever figure that out. But part of your surrender—something I will demand every second of every day—is the right to be your alpha, which means forcing you to confront everything you’re carrying, the burdens you’ve been packing around since you were a kid.”
